It's Muerteada Time...

In the villages it is time to put on those dancing shoes and get ready to party hearty for about sixteen hours.  There are muerteadas, elaborate costume dances, in villages all around me.  They go from house to house with a killer bands.  Oh, the music!  A little food, some beer and mezcal, it's a party.  I think there were two in my neighborhood last night, as I heard the bands each trying to play louder than the other.  Six tubas can makes some serious noise.  This mural is for nearby Santiago Etla.

They always do it right and it's on the Pan-American highway, so it gets lots of exposure.  Each year, it's more elaborate and beautiful. 

This one is on the outer wall of the mercado in the Villa de Etla.  In this shot, you can see a traditional costume for this area, pants and vests covered with bells and mirrors that weigh a ton. 

I can say this from personal experience.  I have no idea how they can dance starting a six in the evening and ending up at 10 AM the next morning.  However, the music is infectious and you can't help but move. 

Flores for the Souls...

One of the joys of this time of year is finding the fields filled with flowers for all the Muertos ofrendas, offerings and decorations.  This one is tucked right in near the house.

You've got the look....

It's beginning to look like....

Muertos.

A rare sighting...

My garden is full of mariposas, butterflies, but this is the first time I've seen a Smyrna blomfildia or Blomfild's beauty. She was feeding on some rotting nisperos yesterday. Males are more orange, while females are more brown.  What a treat to have her visit.  Bring friends next time.

We Flew to OAXACA MEXICO for the Food

This couple from Italy has the best reactions to first tasting the food we eat every day.  I follow them on Youtube where she is an absolute pistol.  She is a really good cook and a really tough judge of all things... cooking.

 

Teotitlan del Valle - Convite 2022

Convite in Teotitlan del Valle...

It felt so good to be back in Teotitlan del Valle for another celebration, a convite or procession of hundreds of girls and women, all unmarried, through the streets of the village.  Each carries a canasta adorned with a religious image, flowers and flags. 

It is no easy thing to walk several kms with one's arms up and battling the winds.  You really need to start young to be able to manage it, but so many do and it is always a glorious sight and a joyful time. 

And, of course, the light at this time of year is always perfect.  I'll try to post video mañana.  I got some nice shots.